Lead feeding pencil



April'27, 1937. A. WINTER LEAD FEEDING PENCIL Filed bec. 18, -1955 lf :l

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NvENToR /l/ll/llll/ no K w/Z Patented Apr. 27, 1937 UNITED STATES V-`Parent orric LEAD manned PENCIL nr Winter, Weehawken, N. J. Application December is, 1935, serian Nc. 54,978 c claims. (ci. 12e-miti This invention relates in general to mechanical lead feeding pencils of the step by step type,

Vwherein leads are fed from the magazine to a lead holding and advancing mechanism ior projecting the leads step by step longitudinally from one end of the pencil casing, and more particularly the invention relates to pencils of the character described and claimed in my copending application Serial No.` 743,673, filed September 12, 1934. Thepencil described in said application comprises two telescopically associated inner and 'outer tubular sections, a lead holding tube mounted in the outer section, c, clutch to grip and release the lead in said tube upon relative reciprocation of said sections in opposite directions to move a lead step by step through the tube, and a second clutch mounted within the outer section and actuated to cooperate with said outer the rst clutch from and with the lead respectively, to grip and release the projected lead.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved combination of a `lead advancing clutch and a clutch for holding the lead in projected position, wherein the lead holding clutch is disposed within but projects from the outer section so that the pencil shall be simpler, easier to make and assemble and more reliable in operation.

Another object is to provide a, novel and improved lead advancing clutch mechanism which shall be positive and reliable in `operation and simple and inexpensive in construction.

Other objects, advantages and results of the invention will appear from the' following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. A

Referring to said drawing in which corresponding and like parts are designated throughout the several views by the same reference characters,

Figure l is a view on a greatly enlargediscale, partially in section and partially in side elevation, of a pencil embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal y sectional view through the lead advancing and;

holding mechanism, showing the parts in their normal lead holding position.

Figure 3 is a. similar view showing `the parts Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 tahen on a plane at right, angles to the plane upon which the section of Figure 2 is taken, and illustrating the lead advancing clutch in side elevation.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view on the line @-t of Figure 3.

Figure i is a similar View on the line i-'i of ligure 5, and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view through the lead holding end of the pencil, showing e. modification ci the invention.

Specifically describing the'illustrated embodiment of the invention, the pencil comprises a casing which includes telescopically associated outer and inner tubular sections i and 2 respectively. One end of the outer section is tapered at 3, while the inner section is slid into the other end of the outer section.

Within the outer section is mounted a lead advancing and a holding mechanism which is shown asvincluding a body sleeve it tapered to approximately conform to the inner wall of the y body section with one end loosely slidable in the opening lIII through the body sleeve 4. The other end ofthe lead holding tube has a, pair of slots I I and has slidable thereover, a lead advancing clutch sleeve I2. This sleeve is longitudinally slitted to formsa pair of diametrically opposite resilient arms I3 at the free ends of which are lead gripping jaws Il which project through the respective slots II. A

The sleeve I2 is longitudinally slidabl on the tube 9'and is operatively connected to the inner section 2 of the casing sov that upon sliding of the inner section into the casing, the jaws Il are ,pressed intoengageme'nt with the lead A, and the sleeve is slid along the tube to advance the lead, While when the inner section is .retracted or moved outwardly of the outer section, the :laws

are disengaged from the lead. As shown, an actuating collar I5 is telescopically tted over the tube 9 and has a cam surface I6 to cooperate with the jaws I4, and this collar I5 is connected at I1 to the inner section 2 of the casing. Assuming the parts to be vin the normal lead holding position shown in Figure 2` with the inner section retracted, the collar I5 is-in position to permit the jaws I4 to be sprung outwardly away from the lead by the arms I3. When the inner lsection is pressed inwardly of the outer section,

slides the sleeve I2 on the tube 9 to advance the lead as shown in Figure 4. As the inner section 2 and collar I5 are retracted the cam surface I6 moves away from the jaws to permit them to spring outwardly away from 'the lead. The sleeve I2 has a frictional engagement with the tube 9 so as to initially hold the sleeve against movement upon movement .of the collar I5 in either direction to permit the surface I6 to en gage and disengage the jaws to force the jaws against the lead and permit the jaws to withdraw from the lead respectively. A thimble I8 is loosely slidable upon the tube 9 and surrounds the end of the clutch sleeve I2 opposite the jaws I4 with its ends to abut respectively the collar I I5 and the end of the clutch sleeve opposite the jaws. 'I'he end of the thimble which abuts the collar has a flange I9 between which and the body sleevel 4 is interposed a compression spring 20 which normally actuates the thimble and collar in the direction to retract the inner section 2 and release the collar from the jaws I4. Out-` ward movement or retraction of the inner section and collar is limited by abutment of the collar with a shoulder 2l on the end of the lead holding tube 9, while inward movement of the collar and inner section is limited by engagement of the end of the thimble with the body sleeve 4; and the thimble engages the clutch sleeve'I2 upon retraction of the inner section to move the clutch sleeve and jaws to their initial position shown in Figure 2 after a lead has been advanced.

The lead holding tube 9 has a limited longitudinal movement in opposite directions, the movement inwardly of the outer casingbeing limited by engagement of the -end of the tube with the inner end of the tip.6 asshown in Figure 3. A lead holding clutch is connected to and movable with the-tube 9 and comprises a tube 22 screw threaded at one end into thetube 9 as at 23 and having its other end projecting from the outer casing through the tip 6 and provided with lead gripping jaws 24. These jaws are resilient and are formed by longitudinal slitting of the tube 22, and the tube has a passage for the lead in alinement with the opening in the tube 9, the inherent resiliency of the jaws tending to lspring them; away from or out of engagement with the lead. The outer surfaces of the jaws are tapered at 25 to cooperate with corresponding tapered surfaces v26 on the inner walls of the outer end of .the tip, and this engagement of .the jaws with the tip limits movement of the lead holding tube in the direction of retraction of the inner section. The

limited longitudinal movement of the tube 9 is just suicient to permit clamping and release of the lead by the jaws 24.

In operation, upon beginning of the inward movement of the collar I5 and inner section 2 to cause the jaws 4 to grip a lead, the compression of the spring 20 is released from'. the shoulder 2| ori the tube 9 so that the tube may longitudinally move to disengage the jaws 25 from the lead. Should the tube not move upon simple release of the compression of the spring, the frictional engagement of the collar I5 with the jaws and the sleeve I8 withl the tube will positively move the tube. This motion will continue until the end of the tube 9 abuts the end of the tip 6, and this motion preferably takes place slightly before the gripping of the lead by the advancing jaws I4. Then continued movement of the collar I5 inwardly of the outer section will cause the jaws I4 to grip the lead and slide the sleeve along the tube to advance the lead therethrough. Upon release of the inner section under the influence of the spring 20 the retraction of the collar l5 and inner section 2 moves the tube 9 to cause the jaws 24 to engage the tapered surfaces 26 on the outer section and clamp the lead, this movement of the tube 9 being caused in the first instance by frictional engagement between the collar I5 and the jaws I4 and the engagement of the thimble I8 with the sleeve I2 which frictionally engages the tube. The lead is thereupon held against retraction, and this action preferably takes place at about the same time or slightly before the release of the jaws I4 from the lead. Continued retraction of the collar I5 will then releasethe jaws I4 from the lead, and engagement of the thimble with the sleeve I2 will carry the sleeve with the collar to their initial position so as to cause abutment of the collar with the shoulder 2I under inuence of the spring 2D and exert a positive pull on the tube 9 to hold the jaws 24 in engagement with the lead.

With this construction it will be noted that the lead may be projected from the tip step by step upon relative reciprocation of the inner and outer sections I and 2, the clutch 24, 26 releasing the lead to permit advance thereof, and holding the lead in projected position against retraction by the advancing mechanism as the latter retracts. Also, on each step the lead may be ejected any desired amount up to the limit of the advance in movement of the sleeve I 2. It is also important that by slightly moving the inner section into the outer section as shown by Figure 3, the-lead can be released from both the clutch 25 and the advancing jaws I4, so that the lead freely can be pushed into the casing to adjust the length of the projecting portion should the lead be projected too i'ar. v

AIt will be obvious from the foregoing that the V leads may be deposited in the tube 9 in any suitable manner, but as shown, the outer end of the inner section 2 serves as a magazine, the bottom; of which is conically concave at 2'Iconcentric with the opening through the tube so that the leads will fall by gravity into said opening.

It will be observed that the lead holding clutch tube 22 has its passage in allnement with the opening through the lead holding tube 9 so that the projected lead is slid through the clutch tube 22. It is desirable that the lead be frictionally held against dropping from the clutch tube in case the lead has been released from both the advancing jaws I4 and the holding jaws 25 as shown in Figure 3. Accordingly, I may insert some friction producing means in the clutch tube; for example a thin walled longitudinally slit resilient tube 28 may be secured in the clutch tube as shown in Figure 8. As shown,.the friction tube 28 has a flange 29 clamped between the end of the clutch tube 22 and the lead holding tube 9.

While I have shown and described the pencil as embodied in certain details of construction, it should be understood that many modifications and changes may be made in the structure of the pencil without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1.A mechanical pencil comprising telescopically associated inner and outer tubular sections,

a slotted lead holding tube mounted Ain said outer section, a clutch on and slidable longitudinally of said tube and having jaws passing through the slots therein to engage a lead in the tube, an operative connection between said inner section and said clutch to cause engagement and disengagement of said jaws with a lead in said tube to advance and release the lead upon movement of said inner section into said outer section and retraction of said inner section respectively, and

l5 a second clutch including a member in said outer section and projecting therefrom with a passage therethrough in alinement with said tube, means actuated-by the rst clutch to actuate the second clutch to cooperate with said outer section upon disengagement of the iirst clutch from the lead to grip and hold the projected lead and to be positivelyoperated upon engagement of the iirst clutch with the lead to release the projected lead, whereby the projected lead is held by the second clutch against retraction as the lead is released by the ilrst clutch upon retraction thereof, and the lead is slid through the second clutch when the lead is gripped and advanced by the rst clutch.

2. A mechanical pencil comprising telescopically associated inner and outer tubular sections, a slotted lead holding tube mounted for longitudinal movement in opposite directions in said outer tube, a clutch on and slidable longitudinally ofsaid tube and having jaws passing through the slots therein to engage a lead in the tube, an operative connection between said inner section and said clutch to cause engagement and disengagement of said jaws with alead in said tube upon movement of said inner section into said outer section and retraction of said inner section respectively, whereby said lead is slid through said tube by said clutch toward projected position from said outer section and released by said clutch 45 upon movements of the clutch in opposite directions respectively, said tube carrying gripping jaws through which the lead is longitudinally movable and projecting from the end of said outer section', said tube being movable longitudinally to a limited extent in opposite directions as said clutch is moved and said jaws being movable with said tube out of and into engagement with the end of said outer section upon movement of said inner sectionV into said outer section and retraction of said inner section respectively, to cause said gripping jaws to release said lead and to grip and hold said lead in advanced position, respectively. y

3. A mechanical pencil comprising two telescopically associated inner 'and outer tubular sections, a lead holding tube mounted in the outer section, a clutch to grip and. release a lead in said tube upon relative reciprocation of said sections` in opposite directions to move a lead stepby-step through said tube, said tube having limited longitudinal movement in opposite directions as said clutch ismoved, and a second clutch including movable into and out of engagement with said end of the outer section and cooperating therewith upon movement of the rst'clutch to release and grip a lead respectively, to causel said jaws to grip and hold a lead in advanced position and release said lead, respectively. .i

4. A mechanical pencil comprising two telescopically associated inner and outer tubular sections, the latter of which has a tapered end, a body sleeve mounted within said tapered end, a tip threaded into said body sleeve and exteriorly abutting the end of said outer casing, a lead holding tube longitudinally slidable in said body l0 sleeve and tip and having a shoulder to abut the inner end of the tip for limiting movement of said tube in one direction, said tube having lead. gripping jaws projecting from said tip and cooperating therewith to limit movement of the 15 ltube in the other direction and to grip and release a lead upon movement of the tube in opposite directions respectively, and a lead advancing clutch mechanism operable by said inner section to grip and release a lead in said holding 20 tube upon relative reciprocation of said casing sections in opposite directions, said clutch mechanism also operatively connected to move said lead holding tube to cause said jaws to release and grip a lead as a lead is gripped and released 25 respectively by said clutch.

5. A mechanical pencil comprising two telescopically associated inner and outer tubular sections, the latter of which has a tapered end, a body sleeve mounted within said tapered end, a o0 tip threaded into said body sleeve and exteriorly abutting the end of said outer casing, a lead holding tube longitudinally slidable in said body sleeve, a lead holding clutch tube separably connected to and movable with said holding tube 35 having a passage for a lead from said holding tube and formed with gripping jaws projecting from and cooperating with said tip upon movement of said clutch tube in opposite directions `to grip and release a lead, and a lead advancing 40 clutch mechanism operable by said inner casing to grip and release a lead in said holding tube upon relative reciprocation of said casing sections in opposite directions, said clutch mechanism also operatively connected to move said lead holding 45 tube to cause said jaws to release and grip a lead as-a lead is gripped and releasedrespectively by said clutch. x

6. A mechanical pencil comprising telescopically associated inner and outer tubular sections, a 50 lead holding tube mounted in said outer tube, one end of said tube having longitudinal slots, a sleeve on and slidable longitudinally of said tube and having resilient arms carrying jaws projectlng through said slots to engage a lead in said 55 tube, and an actuating collar slidable on said sleeve and connected to said inner section, said collar having an-lnterior cam surface to engage said resilient arms and force said jaws into engagement with said lead and slide said sleeve on 60 said tube to advance said lead in said tube upon movement of said inner section into said outer section and to release said jaws from engagement with said lead upon retraction of said inner section, a thimble slidable on said tube and s'ur- 65 rounding said sleeve with one end to abut the end of said sleeve opposite said jaws and with a ange at the other end to abut said collar, a compression spring interposed between said ilange and said outer section to retract said thimble, collar and clutch sleeve into normal posi-j tion after a lead has been advanced, and means for limiting retraction of said parts.

ARTHUR WINTER. 

